How to Dance the Los Angeles Salsa

Los Angeles salsa combines the best elements of Cuban salsa, mambo and swing. This style focuses on intricate footwork and is the most popular outside of Cuba. When you see salsa dance exhibitions, you are likely to see this style. Don't let the fancy work of the pros make you feel like you can't master it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Dance the Los Angeles Salsa

1. "Break" (or step forward or back) on beats one and five. In Los Angeles-style salsa, the lead begins dancing on the first beat, moving his left foot forward. By breaking forward, you step forward quickly, and then rock back. On the five, you break back, stepping back with the right foot. The woman's step is the exact opposite, breaking back on the one and forward on the five.
2. Dance a quick-quick-slow on the first three beats, and pause on the fourth. This means stepping, rocking weight to other foot and then replacing your foot, so that both feet end up together.
3. Practice the cross-body lead, which is the basis for Los Angeles Salsa. The leader must pull his partner across his body in a linear movement while turning approximately 90 degrees. Usually, the leader moves first, with the partner following. For different cross-body lead movements, see SalsaisGood.com (see Resources below).
4. Break apart occasionally to perform a shine, or solo. The shines are the most important part of Los Angeles Salsa and can include fancy footwork or acting. Each shine is usually separated by a few measures of more traditional Salsa dancing, with both partners doing basic footwork.
5. Explore Los Angeles Salsa with free videos from Salsa LA Style by professional dancers Rony and Dinora (see Resources below).

Turn Your Partner With a Hammerlock Combination

6. Start with a basic step for one or two measures before attempting any turns.
7. Prepare for a hammerlock turn, with both partners breaking back on the first beat. The woman should break (step) back with the right foot, and the man should break back with the left. You should move away from your partner with this step.
8. Rock forward on the second beat, shifting the weight in your feet from the one you stepped with to the resting foot.
9. Move the right foot to the side, in line with your left foot, to prepare to spin. The man should step forward, bringing his feet together.
10. Move into a basic spin by bringing the leader's left hand up on the third beat. His fingertips should be on the woman's open palm, with the arms raised.
11. Turn on beats five, six and seven, with the woman stepping to the right and then spinning around, facing her partner again on the seventh beat. This leaves you in a position with your arms twisted around each other, but you can smoothly replace your arms during a basic step in the next measure.

Tips & Warnings

• Most dance studios in the United States teach the Los Angeles style. Even with its fluidity, learning how to dance this style of salsa properly will set you up to learn other salsa styles and the fundamentals of dance in general.